FAQs (Advertisements) – Singapore property for sale/ rent
Q1: Salespersons are required to ascertain the rightful owners and obtain the consent of all owners where there is more than 1 owner. Is it the responsibility of the salesperson to do a title search to confirm ownership? Singapore property for sale/ rent.
A1: Under the Practice Guidelines on Ethical Advertising, estate agents and salespersons are required to obtain the prior consent of the owner(s) before advertising any singapore property for sale/ rent. If there is more than one owner, estate agents and salespersons shall ascertain the rightful owners and obtain the consent of all owners. There are various avenues to establish the property ownership such as the Land Titles Registry. CEA does not prescribe a specific mode.
Q2: If consent is given to 2 or more salespersons to advertise, what can the salespersons do or cannot do?
A2: If consent of owner is given to 2 or more salespersons to advertise, the salespersons must act ethically. That means if they advertise, on behalf of the seller/landlord they are expected to act only for the seller/landlord. The salesperson has the responsibility to ensure that any offer received or expression of interest is conveyed to the seller/landlord for singapore property for sale/ rent.
If a direct buyer calls the salesperson/s, the latter cannot compel the direct buyer to engage them as the buyer’s salesperson. The latter should make it clear that the direct buyer has a choice to either act himself or engage another salesperson from another estate agent or the same estate agent acting for the seller.
If a salesperson calls on behalf of a buyer, in response to the advertisement, they cannot be turned away or denied the opportunity to make their offers to the seller without the seller’s consent for singapore property for sale/ rent.
If 2 or more salespersons advertise for 1 owner, any offer or expression of interest provided by direct buyer or via buyer’s salespersons should be conveyed by the seller’s salesperson to the seller/landlord. At no time, should 2 or more salespersons team up to selectively convey or block any offer to the seller/landlord.
Q3: Whose consent needs to be sought if a salesperson were to advertise another salesperson’s listing? (existing FAQ)
A3: A salesperson is required to obtain the approval of the owner before he / she can advertise the property. They cannot advertise other salesperson’s listing without the consent of the owner. In addition, he should not copy or extract and use the contents of the advertisement without approval of the salesperson who had placed the original advertisement. He should also observe all other requirements of the Practice Guidelines and Regulations.
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Q4: If they advertise the floor area, must they check with the relevant authority to ensure the floor area is correct?
A4: Estate agents and salespersons shall take reasonable care to ascertain and disclose the correct floor area of the unit in the advertisement. Such information can be obtained from the copy of title deed from the owner. Alternatively, the information on floor area can also be obtained from the relevant authorities like BCA (Building Plan) or the strata plan from SLA for singapore property for sale/ rent.
Q5: Aside from “Estate Agent Licence Number” and “Salesperson Registration Number”, are there other acceptable alternatives for flyers, pamphlets or banners?
A5: Other acceptable alternatives for displaying the details of estate agents and salespersons are “CEA Licence Number” and “CEA Registration Number”. If in doubt, estate agents and salespersons should seek CEA’s consent on any other alternative for display their details.
Q6: Can CPD providers lift or copy from the PG for their courses as teaching materials?
A6: CPD providers are encouraged to conduct practice-related activities under the CPD framework. Such programmes shall cover the Practice Circulars and Guidelines issued by CEA. Hence, CPD providers can use the Practice Guidelines for reference and develop their additional CPD course materials accordingly for Singapore property for sale/ rent.
Q7: If I find that a salesperson has contravened any of the Practice Guidelines can I complain to CEA? What will CEA do?
A7: Yes, a complaint can be lodged against a salesperson for contravening any provision in the Practice Guidelines. CEA will investigate into the complaint and the salesperson may be brought before a Disciplinary Committee.
Q8: Does this set of guidelines apply to salesperson advertising on behalf of a buyer as well?
A8: The Practice Guidelines apply to both advertisements on behalf of the seller and the buyer for Singapore property for sale/ rent.
Q9: Is it mandatory to follow the Ethical Advertising practice guideline? What action can be taken against an estate agent/salesperson for non-compliance?
A9: Yes. All estate agents/salespersons are required to comply with the Estate Agents (Estate Agency Works) Regulations and the Code of Ethics and Professional Client Care viz. duties in respect of advertisements. The Practice Guidelines on Singapore property for sale/ rent.
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Ethical Advertising is issued pursuant to the Code of Ethics and Professional Client Care and sets out details on various scenarios. Non-compliance of these Guidelines may result in disciplinary action.
Q10: If I find any estate agent/salesperson contravening the Practice Guidelines, what steps can I take?
A10: You may e-mail to CEA at feedback@cea.gov.sg or call our toll-free Enquiry hotline at 1800 643 2555 to provide the details of singapore property for sale/ rent.
Q11: Can a salesperson sends SMS or makes cold calls as long as it is not done between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m.?
A11: If a consumer does not wish to receive SMS, he can use the unsubscribe option to respond. If a consumer has indicated that he does not wish to receive future cold calls or SMS messages, the estate agent or salesperson shall cease the cold calls or SMS messages to him. All estate agents and salespersons shall respect the privacy of and not to cause nuisance to recipients. The details of the estate agents or salespersons, who have made repeated calls can be furnished to CEA to assist to look into the matter. CEA can inform the estate agent concerned to take appropriate steps, for example, to inform all their salespersons not to contact certain telephone numbers.
Q12: Can an estate agent/salesperson advertise “no co-broking”?
A12: All estate agents and salespersons are required to act in the best interest of their clients for singapore property for sale/ rent. They must explain the options of no co-broking and its effects such as limited exposure of the property to potential buyers. The client can then make an informed decision, after having been duly advised by the estate agent/salesperson. The estate agent and salesperson will have to advertise in accordance with the client’s instructions.
Advertisements (as in CEA’s website under FAQs)
Q58. Is the salesperson required to list his/her full name on the advertisements even when it would use 3-4 lines?
A58. For all advertisements including classified ad, a salesperson’s name that appears in the ad must be easily identifiable with his name registered with CEA. The name appears in the ad could either be his NRIC name, his English name with surname (e.g. if a salesperson’s name is Mavis Tan Hwee Hwee, she can use Mavis Tan in the ad) or a short and identifiable form of his NRIC name (e.g. If a salesperson’s name is Goh Keng Seng, he can indicate his name as “Goh KS” in the ad) for Singapore property for sale/ rent.
Q59. Would valuation fees, stamp duty fee and commission be considered as
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transaction money?
A59. Only stamp fees in the above example will be considered as transaction money.
Q60. Whose consent needs to be sought if a salesperson were to advertise another salesperson’s listing?
A60. A salesperson is required to obtain the approval of the owner before he / she can advertise the property on Singapore property for sale/ rent. They cannot advertise other salesperson’s listing without the consent of the owner.
Q61. Can those who have passed the CEA exam instantly advertise themselves as ‘Certified Estate Agent’?
A61. No.
Q62. When must the estate agents and salespersons use the new name cards with the registration and licence numbers indicated?
A62. They should use the new name cards and estate agent cards from 1 March 11.
Singapore property for sale/ rent.
Source: CEA Licensing Circular about FAQs on Advertisements
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